The sparkling

01What it is

Sparkling cocktails are topped with sparkling wine: champagne, prosecco or another bubbly. They are festive, lively and usually lighter in alcohol.

Some are just wine and fruit, like the Bellini or the Mimosa. Others hide a spirit under the bubbles, like the French 75.

02A short history

The Champagne Cocktail, a sugar cube soaked in bitters and topped with champagne, was already in bar books in the 1860s. The French 75, gin and lemon topped with champagne, is said to be named after a French field gun from the First World War.

In Venice, Harry's Bar gave the world the Bellini, prosecco with white peach purée. The Spritz, with a bitter aperitif, prosecco and soda, comes from the same part of north-east Italy and is now the classic aperitivo drink.

03The base recipe

Always add the wine last and pour it gently down the side of the glass, so it keeps its bubbles.

04Why it tastes this way

05The family tree

Same family, small changes. Each of these is one swap away from the next.

Champagne CocktailSugar, bitters and a little cognac under champagne.French 75Gin, lemon and sugar topped with champagne.Kir RoyalBlackcurrant liqueur topped with champagne.KirThe same, with still white wine.BelliniWhite peach purée and prosecco.RossiniStrawberry purée and prosecco.PucciniMandarin juice and prosecco.TintorettoPomegranate juice and prosecco.MimosaOrange juice and sparkling wine. The brunch classic.SpritzAperol, prosecco and soda over ice.Old CubanRum, mint and lime topped with champagne.Russian Spring PunchVodka, lemon and cassis topped with sparkling wine.

06Spot it on a menu

Look for these words. Tap one to see what it means.

"Royale" after a drink's name means it's topped with champagne, as in Kir Royal.

07How to order it

1. Ideal for brunch, celebrations and aperitivo hour.
2. If you prefer it less sweet, ask what sparkling wine they use and whether it's brut (dry).
3. A Spritz is the safest bet when you want something light before dinner.

08Mistakes to avoid

09Start with these three

SpritzAperol and Prosecco over ice with a splash of soda and a slice of orange. Bitter, orange, and built for a table outside.French 75Gin, lemon and sugar shaken, then lengthened with Champagne. Named after a field gun, and it hits about as hard.BelliniWhite peach purée in the flute first, cold Prosecco poured slowly after. Soft, fruity and barely there.

10All 12 sparkling classics

BelliniProsecco · 6.5%French 75Gin · 16%Kir RoyalChampagne · 12.3%MimosaProsecco · 4.7%SpritzProsecco · 9%Champagne CocktailChampagne · 13%KirWine · 11%Old CubanRum · 13%PucciniProsecco · 6.5%RossiniProsecco · 6.5%Russian Spring PunchVodka · 14%TintorettoProsecco · 6.5%

11Browse them in the library

See every sparkling classic as photo cards, next to the other lists in the cocktail library.

Open the Something bubbly list →Every classic, A to Z →

12If you like this family